---
name: "Russell Brand"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/russell-brand"
fi1m_id: "russell-brand"
imdb_id: "nm1258970"
tmdb_id: 59919
wikidata_id: "Q296609"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "4 June 1975"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-10-01T22:20:53.712057+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Russell Brand

## Identity

Russell Brand

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/russell-brand
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** russell-brand
- **IMDb ID:** nm1258970
- **TMDB ID:** 59919
- **Wikidata ID:** Q296609
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brand, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296609, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1258970/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/59919

Actor. Born 4 June 1975 in Grays, Essex, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 4 June 1975, Grays, Essex, England, UK
- **Active:** 2010–2016
- **Also known as:** Russell Edward Brand
- **Frequently works with:** [Chris Meledandri](https://film.one/person/chris-meledandri.md), [Chris Renaud](https://film.one/person/chris-renaud.md), [Cinco Paul](https://film.one/person/cinco-paul.md), [Janet Healy](https://film.one/person/janet-healy.md), [Ken Daurio](https://film.one/person/ken-daurio.md), [Pierre Coffin](https://film.one/person/pierre-coffin.md), [Steve Carell](https://film.one/person/steve-carell.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brand, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296609, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1258970/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/59919

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Despicable Me*](https://film.one/film/despicable-me.md) (74)
- **Peacock:** [*Despicable Me 2*](https://film.one/film/despicable-me-2.md) (71)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Russell Brand

> Russell Brand's elaborate phrasing and camp delivery work best in supporting comedy. We rate his timing, but the leading roles too often ask the same eccentric manner to sustain an entire film.

Russell Brand's elaborate phrasing and camp delivery suit a character who is pleased with himself. As the self-absorbed rock star Aldous Snow in *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* (2008), he has precisely that opportunity. His comic timing and physical presence make the supporting part count. We rate him most highly in this sort of role, where other performers can take over before the eccentricity becomes tiring.

The move into leading roles tested how long that pleasure could last. *Get Him to the Greek* (2010) returns to Snow and pairs Brand with Jonah Hill, allowing some vulnerability into the raunch. Nicholas Stoller, who also directed *Forgetting Sarah Marshall*, gets useful comedy out of that partnership. The pairing works, though a whole feature spent with this character can make his habits wear thin.

In *Despicable Me* (2010), voicing the elderly inventor Dr. Nefario gives him a smaller, more clearly defined task. We enjoyed the gadgets and comic timing, and found the appeals for affection a little wearing. The film's chief pleasures are Steve Carell's voice work and the Minions' mischief, rather than a performance built around Brand. That is a useful reminder that a comedian's contribution need not be the main attraction to belong in a film we recommend. The predictable story is a drawback, but the amiable humour makes this a sounder recommendation than a vehicle resting entirely on his eccentricity.

*Arthur* (2011) exposes that difficulty: the familiar persona does too much of the work, and the character supplies too little contrast. Brand can be funny without making a leading character sufficiently interesting to follow for a whole film. His animation work, including Creek in *Trolls* (2016), offers another use for a performer with such a recognisable verbal manner. Start with *Despicable Me* for a family evening, or *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* to see why the larger roles followed.

## Biography

Russell Brand is an English comedian and actor. Born Russell Edward Brand on 4 June 1975 in Grays, Essex, he trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and began his career in stand-up comedy and television presenting, including hosting *Big Brother's Big Mouth*.

He gained wider recognition for film roles such as Aldous Snow in *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* (2008) and its spin-off *Get Him to the Greek* (2010). Brand has voiced Dr. Nefario in *Despicable Me* (2010), *Despicable Me 2* (2013) and *Minions: The Rise of Gru* (2022), and Creek in *Trolls* (2016). Other credits include *Death on the Nile* (2022).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Despicable Me 2* (2013), Fi1m 71, as Dr. Nefario (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/despicable-me-2.md)
- *Despicable Me* (2010), Fi1m 74, as Dr. Nefario (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/despicable-me.md)

## Complete filmography (52)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Under the Boardwalk* (2023), as Mako (voice)
- *Catherine Called Birdy* (2022), as Suitor from Kent
- *Minions: The Rise of Gru* (2022), as Dr. Nefario (voice)
- *Death on the Nile* (2022), as Windlesham
- *The Wisdom of Trauma* (2021), Thanks
- *Four Kids and It* (2020), as Tristan Trent
- *The Fight* (2019), as The Guru (voice) / Boxing Referee
- *Illumination Presents: 10 Minion Mini-Movies* (2019), as Dr. Nefario (voice)
- *RUSSELL BRAND: RE:BIRTH* (2018), Writer
- *Army of One* (2016), as God
- *Trolls* (2016), as Creek (voice)
- *Ballers* (2015), series, as Lance Klians
- *The Emperor's New Clothes* (2015), Writer
- *Russell Brand: End the Drugs War* (2014), Writer
- *Russell Brand: Messiah Complex* (2013), Writer, Executive Producer
- *Paradise* (2013), as William Carr
- *Despicable Me 2* (2013), as Dr. Nefario (voice) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/despicable-me-2.md)
- *What About Dick?* (2012), as Dick
- *Russell Brand - From Addiction to Recovery* (2012), Writer
- *Rock of Ages* (2012), as Lonny Barnett
- *Arthur* (2011), as Arthur · Executive Producer
- *Hop* (2011), as E.B (voice)
- *RIDE THE TIGER* (2011), as International Magic
- *Russell Brand: The World According to Russell Brand* (2010), Writer
- *The Tempest* (2010), as Trinculo
- *Despicable Me* (2010), as Dr. Nefario (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/despicable-me.md)
- *Get Him to the Greek* (2010), as Aldous Snow
- *Russell Brand: Scandalous* (2009), Writer
- *Shrink* (2009), Thanks
- *Russell Brand in New York City* (2009), Writer, Producer
- *Bedtime Stories* (2008), as Mickey
- *Forgetting Sarah Marshall* (2008), as Aldous Snow
- *Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind* (2007), as Earth Guardian (voice)
- *St Trinian's* (2007), as Flash Harry
- *Russell Brand: Doing Life Live* (2007), Writer
- *Penelope* (2007), as Sam the Jazz Club Owner
- *Russell Brand's Ponderland* (2007), series, Actor
- *Russell Brand: Live* (2006), Writer
- *Russell Brand's Got Issues* (2006), series, Actor
- *Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive* (2006), series, Actor
- *1 Leicester Square* (2006), series, Actor
- *Cold Blood* (2005), series, as Ally Parkins
- *Blessed* (2005), series, as Tommy
- *A Bear's Tail* (2005), series, Actor
- *A Bear's Christmas Tail* (2004), as Mr. Wolf
- *Cruise of the Gods* (2002), as Woolly Hat Fan
- *White Teeth* (2002), as Merlin
- *RE: Brand* (2002), series, Creator
- *Comedy Lab* (1998), series, Writer
- *Mud* (1994), series, as Shane
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Russell Brand (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Russell Brand](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-e067788fd922.jpg) Russell Brand — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Russell_Brand_2025.jpg/1280px-Russell_Brand_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025)](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-2c3e07cc8ea1.jpg) Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025) — Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_05.jpg/1280px-AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_05.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025)](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-2546114bfbe6.jpg) Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025) — Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_06.jpg/1280px-AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_06.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025)](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-695fa76c7ec4.jpg) Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025) — Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_04.jpg/1280px-AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_04.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Russell Brand](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-50f5fd537171.jpg) Russell Brand — Image via TMDB
- ![Russell Brand](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-56462063a92e.jpg) Russell Brand — Image via TMDB
- ![Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025)](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-6cb396c06cbb.jpg) Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025) — Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_03.jpg/1280px-AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_03.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025)](https://film.one/media/person/3631819/gallery-e7bdce13fe61.jpg) Russell Brand at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 (December 18, 2025) — Xuthoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_02.jpg/1280px-AmericaFest_2025_-_Russell_Brand_02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/russell-brand